Connecting like-minded people

Years ago I spoke at the University of California, Davis to Ann Savageau's design classes.  It was from that visit that I met my soon-to-be intern extraordinaire Carol Shu.  Ann and I have stayed in touch and when she told me about her B.A.G. project last year, you know I was excited about it and wanted to support its goal to be truly global.  I put Ann in touch with the founder of Conserve India, Anita.  

This week I received this email from Ann:

As you know, I just returned from a fabulous two week stay in Delhi, and I credit you for introducing me to Anita and catalyzing this wonderful exchange!

The living conditions of the rag pickers are appalling: many of them belong to the Dalit, or Untouchable, caste.  Anita says they are often sexually assaulted and beaten up.  They have no schools or health care, and Conserve India provides both of those for about 300 employees.  We visited the school and brought gifts for the children, such as soccer balls, jump ropes, toothbrushes, pencils, crayons, etc.

Our newly graduated fashion design majors, Christina Johnson and Jenna Chen will work as interns for C.I. for the next six months.  It is a very exciting and a unique opportunity for them, because they will learn many aspects of the business (designing, marketing, merchandising, and pricing, to name a few).  No American company of the same size would offer new graduates as much opportunity or responsibility.

I have attached a photo of us in our Indian garb, in an old bazaar in Delhi. Thank you so much for introducing me to Anita!  By the way, Carol Shu will begin grad school with us in the fall, and we are so happy to have her back.

Warm regards,
Ann

What fun to see connections blossom and grow!  It is really wonderful to feel like I am a small part of a group of thoughtful committed citizens who are indeed changing the world.